Dollar General

Image:J.L. Turner and Son Building.jpg in Scottsville, Kentucky]]

Dollar General has its origin in Scottsville, Kentucky, with James Luther "J.L." Turner and his son Cal Turner. James Turner's father died in an accident in 1902 when James was only 11. James quit school to work on the family farm, helping to provide for his mother and siblings, and subsequently never completed his education. After two unsuccessful attempts at retailing, James became a traveling dry goods salesman for a Nashville wholesale grocer. James left the sales job after 10 years and settled his family in Scottsville, Kentucky. During the Great Depression, he began buying and liquidating bankrupt general stores. Cal accompanied his father to these closeouts at a young age, gaining valuable business knowledge and skills.{{cite news|title=Cal Turner, 85; Founded Dollar General|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/20/business/cal-turner-85-founded-dollar-general.html|access-date=June 4, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 20, 2000}}

In October 1939, James and Cal opened J.L. Turner and Son with an initial investment of $5,000 each (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|5,000|1939|r=-3|fmt=c}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). The switch to retailing resulted in annual sales above $2 million by the early 1950s. By the mid-1950s Turner had 35 department stores in Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1955, Cal Turner developed his idea of a retail store selling goods for a dollar, based on the Dollar Days promotions held at other department stores, by converting Turner's Department Store in Springfield, Kentucky, into the first Dollar General Store.{{cite news|last1=Scavotto|first1=Andrew|title=Dollar General Founder Cal Turner Sr. Loved Small Town Life|url=http://www.nashvillepost.com/home/article/20447214/dollar-general-founder-cal-turner-sr-loved-small-town-life|access-date=June 2, 2017|work=Nashville Post}} In 1964, J.L. Turner died, leaving his son Cal Turner to succeed him.{{Cite news |date=1964-04-21 |title=Founder of Chain Stores, James L. Turner, Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-obituary-for-james-l/37539014/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |work=The Courier-Journal |pages=11}}

The company Cal Turner co-founded went public as Dollar General Corporation in 1968,{{Cite web |last=Berk |first=Christina Cheddar |date=2009-11-13 |title=Dollar General Trades Higher After Its IPO |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2009/11/13/dollar-general-trades-higher-after-its-ipo.html |access-date=2024-07-21 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}} posting annual sales of more than $40 million and net income in excess of $1.5 million. In 1977, Cal Turner Jr., who joined the company in 1965 as a third-generation Turner, succeeded his father as CEO of Dollar General.{{cite press release |url=http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1558 |title=Former Dollar General Chairman and CEO Cal Turner Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Retail Merchandiser Magazine |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221055442/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1558 |url-status=dead}} In 1989, Cal Sr. retired as chairman and the company headquarters were moved to Tennessee. Under his son's leadership, the company grew to more than 6,000 stores and $6 billion in sales. In 1997 a distribution center was established in South Boston, Virginia.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General South Boston Distribution Center Celebrates 20 Years|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/our-story/blog-posts/dollar-general-south-boston-distribution-center-celebrates-20-years.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=April 13, 2017|archive-date=May 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509024152/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/our-story/blog-posts/dollar-general-south-boston-distribution-center-celebrates-20-years.htm|url-status=dead}}

In 2000, Dollar General opened a new corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. By the end of 2000, sales at Dollar General exceeded $4{{Spaces}}billion.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Reports Financial Results for Fiscal 2000 And Restated Results for 1999 and 1998|url=http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-reports-financial-results-for-fiscal-2000-and-restated-results-for-1999-and-1998.htm|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=26 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526175704/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-reports-financial-results-for-fiscal-2000-and-restated-results-for-1999-and-1998.htm|url-status=dead}} The distribution center in Homerville, Georgia, was closed in April 2000 and operations were moved to a new distribution center in Alachua, Florida.{{cite news|title=Dollar General Closes Georgia Distribution Center|url=http://www.nashvillepost.com/home/article/20442153/dollar-general-closes-georgia-distribution-center|access-date=June 4, 2017|work=Nashville Post|date=April 19, 2000}}

Cal Jr. retired in 2002 and was succeeded by David Perdue on April 2, 2003.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Corporation Names David A. Perdue, Jr. CEO|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-names-david-a-perdue-jr-ceo.htm|access-date=2017-06-05|archive-date=2017-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728212736/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-names-david-a-perdue-jr-ceo.htm|url-status=dead}}

Dollar General entered the grocery market with the establishment of Dollar General Market in 2003.{{cite news|last1=Springer|first1=Jon|title=Dollar General Market: Still in the Lab|url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/finance/dollar-general-market-still-in-the-lab|access-date=4 June 2017|publisher=Supermarket News|date=August 23, 2010}} In 2004, Dollar General expanded to low-cost Asian markets by opening a sourcing office in Hong Kong.{{cite news|last1=Malloy|first1=Daniel|title=On David Perdue, Dollar General and recalls of Chinese-made toys|url=http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2014/10/30/on-david-perdue-dollar-general-and-recalls-of-chinese-made-toys/|access-date=June 18, 2017|publisher=AJC|date=October 30, 2014|archive-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100158/http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2014/10/30/on-david-perdue-dollar-general-and-recalls-of-chinese-made-toys/|url-status=dead}}

On June 21, 2007, CEO David Perdue announced his resignation, leaving David Bere as interim CEO.{{cite news|title=Perdue steps down from Dollar General|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2007/06/18/daily22.html|access-date=June 4, 2017|work=Nashville Business Journal|date=June 21, 2007}} One month later, all shares of Dollar General stock were acquired by private equity investors for $22 per share. An investment group consisting of affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), GS Capital Partners (an affiliate of Goldman Sachs), Citigroup Private Equity, and other co-investors completed an acquisition of Dollar General Corporation for $6.9{{Spaces}}billion.{{cite news|title=KKR signs a record $6.9 billion buyout of Dollar General|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/business/worldbusiness/12iht-dollar.4885571.html|access-date=March 31, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 12, 2007}}

As a part of the transition to a privately held company, Dollar General assessed each location at the end of its lease against a model known as "EZ Stores". This assessment included evaluating whether the location had a loading dock, garbage dumpsters, adequate parking, and acceptable profitability. Stores that did not pass this evaluation were relocated or closed. Over 400 stores were closed as part of this initiative.{{cite web | url = http://www.registerbee.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DRB%2FMGArticle%2FDRB_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352055222 | title = Location part of store closing | author = Susan Elzey | access-date = August 13, 2007 | date = July 19, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928060623/http://www.registerbee.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DRB%2FMGArticle%2FDRB_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352055222 | archive-date = September 28, 2007 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}

Image:Dollar General, Davidson Rd, GA125, Lowndes County.JPG, in 2015]]

Dollar General filed on August 20, 2009, for an initial public offering of up to $750 million, turning the company once again into a publicly traded corporation.{{cite news |last1=Rooney |first1=Ben |title=Dollar General files $750 million IPO |url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/08/20/news/companies/Dollar_General_IPO/index.htm |access-date=February 20, 2022 |work=CNN Money |date=August 20, 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/dollar-general-files-for-an-ipo/|title=Dollar General Files for an I.P.O.|first=Michael J. de la|last=Merced|newspaper=The New York Times}} In 2013, Dollar General started selling cigarettes in response to its competitor Family Dollar selling cigarettes in 2012.{{cite news|last1=Peterson|first1=Kim|title=Dollar General is opening full-sized grocery stores|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dollar-general-is-opening-full-sized-grocery-stores/|access-date=June 4, 2017|publisher=CBS News|date=December 12, 2013}} Dollar General's 12th distribution center opened on May 31, 2014, in Bethel, Pennsylvania, to serve the Northeast and Midwest stores.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Celebrates Grand Opening of its 12th Distribution Center in Bethel, Pennsylvania|url=http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-12th-distribution-center-in-bethel-pennsylvania.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=May 31, 2014|archive-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507004903/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-12th-distribution-center-in-bethel-pennsylvania.htm|url-status=dead}} On August 18, 2014, Dollar General lodged a competing bid of $9.7{{Spaces}}billion against Dollar Tree for Family Dollar. The bid was rejected on August 20, 2014, by the Family Dollar board, which said it would proceed with the deal with Dollar Tree.{{cite news|title=Family Dollar rejects $9.7 bn acquisition bid by Dollar General|url=http://www.charlottenews.net/index.php/sid/224972437|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014|publisher=Charlotte News.Net}}

On June 3, 2015, Chief Operating Officer Todd Vasos replaced Rick Dreiling as chief executive. Dreiling remained as senior advisor and chairman until his retirement in January 2016.{{cite news|last1=RAMAKRISHNAN|first1=SRUTHI|title=Dollar General says COO Vasos to replace Dreiling as CEO|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dollargeneral-ceo-idUSKBN0OD1L020150528|work=Reuters|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2015}} Dollar General's 13th distribution center opened in San Antonio, Texas, on June 6, 2016, with a local investment of $100 million and the creation of over 500 jobs.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Celebrates Grand Opening of Its 13th Distribution Center in San Antonio, Texas|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-13th-distribution-center-in-san-antonio-texas.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506182820/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-13th-distribution-center-in-san-antonio-texas.htm|url-status=dead}} In September 2015, the City Council in Janesville, Wisconsin, approved an agreement to bring a Dollar General distribution center to the town. The center created more than 500 jobs in the area and became the 14th Dollar General distribution center.{{cite web|last1=Noggle|first1=Amber|title=Development agreement approved for Dollar General distribution center|url=http://www.wkow.com/story/30030349/2015/09/14/development-agreement-approved-for-dollar-general-distribution-center|website=WKOW.com|publisher=WKOW Madison, WI|access-date=September 15, 2015|archive-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113202925/http://www.wkow.com/story/30030349/2015/09/14/development-agreement-approved-for-dollar-general-distribution-center|url-status=dead}}

Image:DollarGeneralDC2018.jpg

On September 15, 2016, Dollar General announced plans to hire 10,000 new employees and open 900 new stores in fiscal 2016 and 1,000 in fiscal 2017. Dollar General operated 13,000 stores as of August 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/09/15/dollar-general-add-10000-workers-hiring-spree/90402730/|title=Dollar General to add 10,000 workers in hiring spree|website=The Tennessean|access-date=September 18, 2016}}

In January 2017, Dollar General opened a concept store in Nashville, Tennessee, called DGX. The DGX store concept focuses on urban shoppers and is geared toward instant-consumption services such as coffee stations and soda fountains. The following month another DGX store opened in Raleigh, North Carolina, and in September a third DGX opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Ennis |title=DOLLAR GENERAL INVESTING IN CITIES WITH DGX CONCEPT |url=https://www.moderncities.com/article/2018-jan-dollar-general-investing-in-cities-with-dgx-concept |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=Modern Cities |date=January 23, 2018}} As of May 2020, Dollar General operated 12 DGX locations in nine states.{{cite web|url=http://www.dgxstore.com/Pages/Index.aspx|title=DGX|website=dgxstore.com}}

File:Popshelf store.jpg]]

In Jackson, Georgia, Dollar General opened its 15th distribution center in fall 2017 to serve stores in Georgia and the surrounding states.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Building New Distribution Center in Central Georgia|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-building-new-distribution-center-in-central-georgia.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=May 9, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506190542/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-building-new-distribution-center-in-central-georgia.htm|url-status=dead}} In 2017, Dollar General began construction for its 16th distribution center, in Amsterdam, New York. The distribution center was to cost $91 million and was expected to create 400 jobs in Montgomery County, New York.{{cite news|last1=Subik|first1=Jason|title=Dollar General breaks ground for new warehouse distribution center|url=http://www.leaderherald.com/news/local-news/2017/07/dollar-general-breaks-ground-for-new-warehouse-distribution-center/|access-date=November 25, 2017|work=The Leader-Herald|date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019001116/http://leaderherald.com/news/local-news/2017/07/dollar-general-breaks-ground-for-new-warehouse-distribution-center/|url-status=dead}} Dollar General planned to open 900 new stores in 2018.{{cite news|last1=Meyersohn|first1=Nathaniel|title=Dollar General is opening 900 new stores next year|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/12/07/news/companies/dollar-general-store-openings/index.html|access-date=December 16, 2017|work=CNN Money|date=December 7, 2017}} The distribution center became fully operational in 2019.{{cite news |date=October 23, 2019 |title=FIRST DELIVERY ARRIVES AT NEW DOLLAR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER |website=Recorder News |url=https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/167235 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706005546/https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/167235 |url-status=dead }} Also in 2017, Dollar General acquired stores from Dollar Express, a spinoff from the Family Dollar–Dollar Tree deal, and converted the store.{{Cite web| title = Dollar Express Chain Sells Out To Competitor Dollar General After 1.5 Years| work = Consumerist| access-date = December 23, 2017| date = April 4, 2017| url = https://consumerist.com/2017/04/04/dollar-express-chain-sells-out-to-competitor-dollar-general-after-1-5-years/}}{{cite news|last1=Garcia|first1=Tonya|title=Dollar General acquires all 323 Dollar Express stores|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-general-acquires-all-323-dollar-express-stores-2017-04-06|access-date=June 8, 2017|publisher=Market Watch|date=April 6, 2017}}

In September 2019, Dollar General celebrated the grand opening of its 16,000th store, in Panama City, Florida, following damage sustained from Hurricane Michael in October 2018. To commemorate the opening, Dollar General presented two $16,000 checks in partnership with Kellogg's to two local elementary schools displaced from the hurricane.{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/our-story/blog-posts/dollar-generals-16000th-store-helps-florida-community-recover-from-hurricane-michael.htm|title=Dollar General's 16,000th Store Helps Florida Community Recover from Hurricane Michael|author=|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730003035/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/our-story/blog-posts/dollar-generals-16000th-store-helps-florida-community-recover-from-hurricane-michael.htm|url-status=dead}}

On December 5, 2019, Dollar General announced plans for fiscal 2020 that included the opening of 1,000 new stores, remodeling of 1,500 mature stores, and relocation of 80 stores.{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-reports-strong-third-quarter-2019-financial-results.htm|title=Dollar General Corporation Reports Strong Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results|author=|date=December 5, 2019|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516025125/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-reports-strong-third-quarter-2019-financial-results.htm|url-status=dead}} In February 2020, Dollar General announced plans to create 8,000 net new career opportunities in fiscal year 2020.{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-plans-to-create-8000-net-new-career-opportunities-in-fy-2020.htm|title=Dollar General Plans to Create 8,000 Net New Career Opportunities in FY 2020|author=|date=February 3, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522034637/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-plans-to-create-8000-net-new-career-opportunities-in-fy-2020.htm|url-status=dead}} Dollar General expanded to 46 states in 2020 with the addition of new stores in Wyoming{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-expands-presence-to-45-states.htm|title=Dollar General Expands Presence to 45 States|author=|date=March 7, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706005447/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-expands-presence-to-45-states.htm|url-status=dead}} in March and Washington in April.{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-opens-first-store-in-washington-state.htm|title=Dollar General Opens First Store in Washington State|author=|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428131321/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-opens-first-store-in-washington-state.htm|url-status=dead}}

File:Dollar General on fire after protest and riot aftermath on East Lake Street (49956694648).jpg destroyed by arson, 2020]]

In late May 2020, two Dollar General stores were destroyed by arson during the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and three others had property damage.{{Cite news |last1=Penrod |first1=Josh |last2=Sinner |first2=C.J. |date=2020-07-13 |title=Buildings damaged in Minneapolis, St. Paul after riots |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.startribune.com/a-deeper-look-at-areas-most-damaged-by-rioting-looting-in-minneapolis-st-paul/569930671/ |access-date=2022-05-05}}

In October 2020, Dollar General opened its first pOpshelf stores in Hendersonville and Clarksville, Tennessee, selling mostly items costing less than $5. By the end of 2021, the company planned 50 free-standing pOpshelf locations and 25 store-within-a-store locations inside Dollar General Market stores.{{cite news|url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article258295163.html#storylink=mainstage_card3|title=Second discount retailer from Dollar General company open in Myrtle Beach area|last=Farhat|first=Jenna|work=The Sun News|date=February 11, 2022|access-date=February 11, 2022}}

In April 2021, the company said it was planning to hire 20,000 employees, less than the number hired in 2020 (50,000).{{Cite news |date=April 14, 2021 |title=Dollar General to hire up to 20,000 workers as economy rebounds |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dollar-general-hiring-idUSKBN2C11I2 |access-date=April 14, 2021}}

On 5 March 2022, Dollar General opened its first store in the state of Idaho, located in Athol.{{cite web|title=Dollar General Opens 1st Store in Idaho|url=https://progressivegrocer.com/dollar-general-opens-1st-store-idaho|website=progressivegrocer.com|access-date=March 7, 2022|date=April 16, 2022}}

On 12 October 2023, Dollar General announced the return of former CEO Todd Vasos, who replaced Jeff Owen. Chairman Michael Calbert said in a statement, “At this time the Board has determined that a change in leadership is necessary to restore stability and confidence in the Company moving forward".{{Cite web |last=Delouya |first=Samantha |date=2023-10-12 |title=Dollar General brings former CEO Todd Vasos back to lead the struggling retailer {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/12/business/dollar-general-new-ceo-todd-vasos/index.html |access-date=2023-10-13 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}

In October 2024, it was announced that there are plans for all pOpshelf stores inside DG Market stores to be removed.{{cite web | url=https://www.retaildive.com/news/popshelf-updates-store-format-closes-dollar-general-shop-in-shops/730129/ | title=Popshelf updates all stores to new format, will exit Dollar General locations }}

File:Road America 2013 Nationwide 20 Brian Vickers.jpg' 2013 Nationwide Series car at Road America]]

For several years, Dollar General has had a connection with motorsports, particularly in NASCAR. The company has previously been a primary sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing. Dollar General sponsored Brian Vickers in the Nationwide Series in 2013. Dollar General became a primary sponsor for Matt Kenseth in the Sprint Cup Series starting in 2013.{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/vickers-run-nationwide-title-jgr-012745351--nascar.html|title=Vickers to run for Nationwide title with JGR|work=Yahoo! Sports|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110115226/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/vickers-run-nationwide-title-jgr-012745351--nascar.html|url-status=dead}} Dollar General and Turner (formerly Braun Racing) have been partnered together since 2008, with the team previously sponsoring cars for Frank Cicci Racing and Kevin Harvick Incorporated. In 2010, Dollar General sponsored some races in the Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports, with Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Toyota Tundra, and sponsored Kyle Busch's Motorsports No. 51 Toyota Tundra for four races in 2014, with Busch driving three and Erik Jones driving one.{{cite web|title=Dollar General to Sponsor Four Races on No. 51 Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series|date=March 18, 2014|publisher=Kyle Busch Motosports|url=http://www.kylebuschmotorsports.com/news/entry.php?nid=1059|access-date=March 23, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324065731/http://www.kylebuschmotorsports.com/news/entry.php?nid=1059|archive-date=March 24, 2014}} Dollar General was the title sponsor for Nationwide Series races held in Charlotte every fall, Chicagoland every summer, and Phoenix in the spring. On May 23, 2016, Dollar General announced it would withdraw its sponsorship from NASCAR at the end of the 2016 season.{{cite web|last=Jensen|first=Tom|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/report-dollar-general-sponsor-joe-gibbs-racing-leaving-at-end-of-sprint-cup-season-052316|title=Dollar General leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR at end of season|work=Fox Sports|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=May 23, 2016}}

Dollar General has also been active in the IndyCar Series since 2008, serving initially as the primary sponsor for owner/driver Sarah Fisher's Sarah Fisher Racing team.{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Expands Sarah Fisher IndyCar Sponsorship To Six Races; Texas And Miami Presidents Weigh In|url=http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-expands-sarah-fisher-indycar-sponsorship-to-six-races-texas-and-miami-presidents-weigh-in.htm|access-date=June 4, 2017|archive-date=May 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508031931/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-expands-sarah-fisher-indycar-sponsorship-to-six-races-texas-and-miami-presidents-weigh-in.htm|url-status=dead}} In 2010, both Fisher and Graham Rahal drove part-time for the team, finishing 9th at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Fisher also led the field at the Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway. In 2011, Dollar General continued to sponsor Sarah Fisher Racing; the team was still part-time, but Ed Carpenter drove for nines races starting at the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Dollar General ceased its sponsorship of Sarah Fisher Racing in 2012.{{cite news|last1=Petry|first1=Tori|title=Sarah Fisher isn't slowing down with racing|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9305935/espnw-sarah-fisher-slowing-racing|access-date=June 4, 2017|publisher=ESPN|date=May 23, 2013}}

Dollar General became the sponsor of the Dollar General Bowl, formerly the GoDaddy Bowl, in Mobile, Alabama, on August 17, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Moriarty|first1=Morgan|title=Yep, the Dollar General Bowl is the new name for the GoDaddy Bowl|url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/12/23/14068070/godaddy-bowl-dollar-general-bowl-name-sponsor|access-date=June 21, 2017|publisher=SB Nation|date=December 23, 2016}} In May 2019, Dollar General withdrew its title sponsorship of the Mobile bowl game.{{cite web |title=Mobile's college bowl game no longer called 'Dollar General Bowl' |date=May 29, 2019 |url=https://www.wkrg.com/sports/mobiles-college-bowl-game-no-longer-called-dollar-general-bowl/ |publisher=WKRG-TV |access-date=September 21, 2019}}

Dollar General sells products from national name brands like Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestlé, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg's, General Mills, and PepsiCo.{{cite web |url=https://aboutus.dollargeneral.com/ |title=About Us|website=Dollar General |access-date=June 3, 2020}}

In 2018, Dollar General expanded its product offerings to include the "Better for You" assortment, which aims to offer healthier options from brands like Kashi, Annie's, Back to Nature, and Kind.{{cite news |last1=Hallett |first1=Louisa |title=Dollar General is now 'better for you' |url=https://storebrands.com/dollar-general-now-better-you |access-date=June 3, 2020 |publisher=Store Brands |date=December 6, 2018}}

By the end of its 2019 fiscal year, Dollar General offered its produce assortments in more than 650 stores, with plans to expand its produce offerings to an additional 400 stores in fiscal 2020.{{cite news |last1=Rueter |first1=Thad |title=Dollar General Expands Fresh Produce Offerings |url=https://progressivegrocer.com/dollar-general-expands-fresh-produce-offerings |access-date=June 3, 2020 |publisher=Progressive Grocer |date=May 26, 2020}}

Dollar General has used its abbreviation, the letters "DG", as a store brand for "inexpensive" household products sold through its stores; the brand is in the process of being phased out for most products as of the early 2020s. DG is also the company's NYSE ticker symbol.

Dollar General private brands include Clover Valley (groceries), Good & Smart (health foods), Smart & Simple (a low-end discount brand), Sweet Smiles (bulk candy), Nature's Menu, Forever Pals and Heartland Farms (pet food and products, formerly EverPet), Gentle Steps (diapers, training pants, and wipes), Studio Selection (beauty and skin care), Believe Beauty (beauty care and makeup), Root to End (hair care), TrueLiving (housewares and laundry), Comfort Bay (towels, blankets, and pillows), Open Trails (men's apparel), Mission Ridge (blue jeans), Zone Pro (sportswear), Rexall (health care, under license from McKesson Corporation{{cite web|url = https://www.chaindrugreview.com/dollar-general-to-carry-rexall-health-care-brand/ |title=Dollar General to carry Rexall health care brand|date=25 March 2010 |publisher=Chain Drug Review, March 25, 2010|access-date=May 21, 2020}}), Composure (adult diapers and incontinence pads), Breeze (feminine hygiene), ProEssentials (hardware), DriveMXD (automotive), OfficeHub (office supplies), and Bobbie Brooks (women's apparel, under license{{Cite web |last=Duff |first=Mike |date=2010-11-30 |title=Dollar General Waltzes Bobbie Brooks Into Walmart Territory |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dollar-general-waltzes-bobbie-brooks-into-walmart-territory/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}).{{cite web |title=Dollar General Private Brands |url=https://www.dollargeneral.com/private-brand.html |website=Dollar General |access-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020626/https://www.dollargeneral.com/private-brand.html |url-status=dead }}

File:DGProducts.jpg|Dollar General DG products

File:CloverValleyDG.jpg|Clover Valley water bottles

File:DGSweetsmilesbrand.jpg|Sweet Smiles candy

File:RexallDG.jpg|Rexall ibuprofen

The brand name Rexall was first established in 1903 by Louis K. Liggett and gradually became a powerhouse as a pharmaceutical drug store chain.{{cite news|last1=Mrozinzski|first1=Josh|title=Once a powerhouse in pharmaceuticals, Rexall is now for many a memory|url=http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/once-a-powerhouse-in-pharmaceuticals-rexall-is-now-for-many-a-memory-1.1293378|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=The Times-Tribune}} Rexall vitamins and supplements began appearing at Dollar General stores in March and by fall 2010 a full line of Rexall products was available at Dollar General.{{cite news|url=http://mypbrand.com/2010/03/25/rexall-private-brands-come-to-dollar-general/ |title=My Private Brand Rexall Private Brands Come to Dollar General |publisher=My Private Brand |date=March 25, 2010 |access-date=January 19, 2014}}

Dollar General Board of Directors as of June 2024 are: Michael M. Calbert (Chairman of the Board), Todd Vasos (CEO), Warren Bryant, Patricia Fili-Krushel, Timothy I. McGuire, Ana Chadwick, David Rowland, Debra A. Sandler, and Ralph E. Santana.{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://investor.dollargeneral.com/websites/dollargeneral/English/5100/board-of-directors.html |access-date=June 24, 2024 |website=Dollar General Investor Relations}}

Dollar General has implemented several sustainability initiatives as of 2024. The company has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation since 2021 to restore over 321 acres of forest and plant more than 96,000 trees near the Mississippi River in Louisiana and Mississippi. Additionally, Dollar General aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2026 and 30% per square foot by 2031. They have also made significant progress in recycling, avoiding more than 1.1 million metric tons of GHG emissions through various programs such as the cardboard backhauling initiative.{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Dollar General's Sustainability Initiatives: Progress and Challenges in 2024 |url=https://jaywalk.ai/blog/dollar-general-s-sustainability-initiatives-progress-and-challenges-in-2024 |website=Jaywalk.ai}}

Dollar General has more than 19,400 stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico,{{cite web |title=Store Locations & Map |url=http://www2.dollargeneral.com/About-Us/pages/store-locations-map.aspx |website=dollargeneral.com |access-date=2017-06-02 |archive-date=2022-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706102137/http://www2.dollargeneral.com/About-Us/pages/store-locations-map.aspx |url-status=dead}} and approximately 158,000 employees.{{Cite web |url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/dollar-general/ |title=Dollar General |website=Fortune |language=en-US |access-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229010242/https://fortune.com/fortune500/dollar-general/ |url-status=dead}} Dollar General also has 17 distribution centers in 16 states. Since 2017, DG has opened stores in North Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington. As of early 2025, only two states lacked DG stores: Alaska, and Hawaii.https://www.dollargeneral.com/about-us/locations.html&lang=en

In the first half of 2024, Dollar General shut down self-checkout in more than half of its stores across the US because of losses from theft.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Alex |date=2024-06-07 |title=Dollar General has shut down self-checkout at a whooping 12,000 stores in the last few months. Here's why. |url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/retail/dollar-general-has-shut-down-self-checkout-at-a-whooping-12000-stores-in-the-last-few/ll26sby |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Business Insider Africa |language=en}}

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Image:DGRegisterStore.jpg]]

Image:DGproductducttape.jpg showing Dolgencorp on the side]]

Dolgencorp is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dollar General Corporation. Dollar General brand products are manufactured under the Dolgencorp subsidiary.{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Dolgencorp, LLC|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4227713|website=bloomberg.com|access-date=October 16, 2017}}

In 2004, a Dollar General office was opened in Hong Kong to oversee the global sourcing operations through exporting and importing products of Dollar General–related goods.{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Dollar General Global Sourcing Limited|website = Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=33544663|access-date=October 17, 2017}}

Since 1993, Dollar General has provided funding of literacy and education programs through its subsidiary Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Every year the Foundation awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center. It has awarded more than $182 million in grants to literacy organizations, which have helped more than 11 million individuals learn to read, prepare for the high school equivalency test, or learn English.{{cite web |title=Dollar General Literacy Foundation - About Us |url=https://www.dgliteracy.org/about-us/ |website=Dollar General Literacy Foundation |access-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419001808/https://www.dgliteracy.org/about-us/ |url-status=dead }}

In 2020, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded $8.6 million to approximately 970 nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries, its largest one-day grant announcement.{{cite news |title=Dollar General Literacy Foundation Makes Largest One-Day Grant Announcement to Support National Literacy Programs |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200514005034/en/Dollar-General-Literacy-Foundation-Largest-One-Day-Grant |access-date=June 2, 2020 |date=May 14, 2020}} The Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018.{{cite news |title=Dollar General Literacy Foundation Awards More Than $8.3 Million to More Than 1,000 Schools, Nonprofits and Literacy Organizations |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180510005012/en/Dollar-General-Literacy-Foundation-Awards-8.3-Million |access-date=October 11, 2018}}

In April 2022, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced an approximately $9.2 million commitment to support literacy within the surrounding communities.{{Clarification needed|reason=The communities surrounding ~what~?|date=May 2024}} $8.2 million was earmarked for the spring grants to support family literacy programs across the country, while the remaining $1 million was pledged to the DonorsChoose program.{{cite journal|date=2 May 2022|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005154/en|title= Dollar General Literacy Foundation Announces Nearly $9.2M Commitment to Literacy in May|journal=Business Wire|access-date=3 May 2022}}

File:Dawn worked 70 hours a week and didn’t earn overtime. It’s time to fix this..webm featuring a Dollar Store manager who was required to work 70-hour weeks{{cite news |last1=Jackman|first1=Caresse |title=Swartz Creek woman takes push for overtime reform to Washington D.C. |url=http://www.abc12.com/home/headlines/Swartz-Creek-woman-takes-push-for-overtime-reform-to-Washington-DC--305516641.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531013610/http://www.abc12.com/home/headlines/Swartz-Creek-woman-takes-push-for-overtime-reform-to-Washington-DC--305516641.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=December 7, 2017 |publisher=ABC 12 News |date=May 29, 2015 }}]]

Dollar General, along with other dollar store chains, while "sometimes [filling] a need in cash-strapped communities" where supermarkets have closed, are regarded not "merely a byproduct of economic distress. They're a cause of it." Dollar store chains, in "capitalizing on a series of powerful economic and social forces—white flight, the recent recession, the so-called "retail apocalypse"—all of which have opened up gaping holes in food access...might not be causing these inequalities per se, they appear to be perpetuating them". The rapid growth in dollar stores across the US has created food deserts and a "dollar store belt". After originally granting them local tax incentives, a number of municipalities have been adding zoning bylaws to discourage dollar stores.{{cite news |last=Misra |first=Tanvi |date=December 20, 2018 |title=The Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun |url=https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/12/closest-grocery-store-to-me-dollar-store-food-desert-bargain/577777/ |work=CityLab |access-date=May 20, 2019}} {{Citation needed|reason=Linked reference is an opinion piece, the article itself refers to an unnamed and therefore unverifiable ILSR study in stating its opinions|date=November 2022}}) According to a study done by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, dollar stores tend to create fewer and lower-wage jobs than independent grocery stores.{{cite web |title=The Impact of Dollar Stores and How Communities Can Fight Back (Fact Sheet) |url=https://ilsr.org/dollar-stores/ |website=Institute for Local Self-Reliance |access-date=June 2, 2020}} The report claims that dollar stores stifle local competition, thereby hurting the communities they are serving.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/business/dollar-general-opposition/index.html |title=Dollar stores are facing backlash across America |author=Nathaniel Meyersohn |publisher=CNN |date=19 July 2019 |access-date=July 19, 2019}}

In March 2020, Dollar General announced plans for its 2020 fiscal year to begin offering produce assortments at approximately 400 stores in addition to the 650 stores that already did so. In February 2019, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, published a story which found that the quality of fruits and vegetables at dollar stores is just as good as at regular grocery stores.

On April 30, 2001, Dollar General Corp was judged liable for making false statements or failing to disclose adverse facts about the company's financial results,{{Cite web |url=http://securities.stanford.edu/1018/DG01/20021219_r01k_010388.pdf |title=U.S. District Court CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 3:01-cv-0038 |access-date=June 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411093957/http://securities.stanford.edu/1018/DG01/20021219_r01k_010388.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2009 |url-status=dead}} and paid $162 million for settlement. The company also announced a restatement of its earnings for the previous three fiscal years, due to accounting irregularities including allegations of fraudulent behavior.{{cite web |url=http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1633 |title=Dollar General Reports Financial Results for Fiscal 2000 And Restated Results for 1999 and 1998| access-date=2013-10-18 |archive-date=2022-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204151830/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1633 |url-status=dead}}

On March 3, 2005, Dollar General restated its results for 2000 through 2003, due to a clarification of lease-accounting matters issued by the SEC.{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-general-corp-to-restate-2000-2003-results| title=Dollar General Corp to restate 2000–2003 results| newspaper=Marketwatch| last1=Ward| first1=Jennifer Inez}}

In November 2014, Dollar General was fined $51,700 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following an inspection of a Brooklyn, Mississippi, branch of the store. The statement from OSHA noted that Dollar General had had repeated health and safety violations: "Since 2009, OSHA has conducted 72 inspections of Dollar General nationwide. Of those inspections, 39 have resulted in citations."{{Cite web |url=https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=27015 |title=Dollar General in Brooklyn, Mississippi, cited for repeat safety hazards; more than $51K in fines proposed |publisher=Occupational Safety and Health Administration}} In April 2016, OSHA reported that further citations had been given to the store for exposing employees to the risk of electrical hazards due to missing face plates on electrical outlets. The store was fined $107,620.{{Cite web |url=https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=31188 |title=OSHA inspection finds Mississippi Dollar General store continues to expose workers to safety hazards despite recent citations, penalties |date=April 14, 2016 |publisher=OSHA |access-date=April 18, 2016}} In December 2016, OSHA noted that some Dollar General stores continued to block fire exits with merchandise in disregard of safety violations, resulting in several fines.{{cite news |last1=Gollan|first1=Jennifer |title=Why Dollar General has a fire problem |url=https://www.revealnews.org/blog/why-dollar-general-has-a-fire-problem/ |access-date=December 1, 2017 |date=December 20, 2016}}

Inspections at Dollar General stores in 2022 in Pembroke in February, and Hogansville and Smyrna{{Clarification needed|reason=In which state(s)?|date=May 2024}} in March, identified four willful and seven repeat violations. Specifically, OSHA cited the company for failing to keep receiving areas clean and orderly and for stacking materials in an unsafe manner. These hazards exposed workers to slips, trips, and being struck by objects. OSHA also issued citations for exposing workers to fire and entrapment hazards by failing to keep exit routes and electrical panels clear and unobstructed.{{cite web | url=https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region4/08152022 | title=Profits over people: Federal safety inspectors find 3 more Dollar General stores habitually disregarding workplace safety, risking employees' lives | Occupational Safety and Health Administration }}

Dollar General's pattern of disregarding worker safety was apparent at five other Southeast locations. In February 2022, OSHA proposed $1,048,309 in penalties after inspections at three locations in Mobile, Alabama, and one in Dalton, Georgia, found similar hazards. At another Mobile location, a December 2021 inspection led OSHA to propose $321,827 in penalties for exposing workers to slip and trip hazards and not keeping the main storeroom orderly to allow a safe exit during an emergency.

In March 2023 it was reported that Dollar General was added to OSHA's severe-violator enforcement program.{{Cite news |last=Corkery |first=Michael |date=2023-03-28 |title=Dollar General Is Deemed a 'Severe Violator' by the Labor Dept. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/business/dollar-general-osha-fines.html |access-date=2023-03-28 |issn=0362-4331}}

{{Main|Dollar General Corp. v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians}}

In March 2023 a Barron's article found that North Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arizona together had fined Dollar General more than $1 million for price irregularities during 2021 and 2022, and the company was also facing multiple potential class-action lawsuits relating to the issue.{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Catherine |title=Analysis: At Dollar General, a Record of Overcharging |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/dollar-general-stores-overcharging-prices-129addef |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=barrons |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Dollar General was fined $1.75 million by the state of Vermont over pricing irregularities for charging a higher price for products at the register than was advertised at the shelf.{{Cite web |title=VT to Receive $1.75 Million From Dollar General For Pricing Inaccuracies {{!}} Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets |url=https://agriculture.vermont.gov/vt-receive-175-million-dollar-general-pricing-inaccuracies |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=agriculture.vermont.gov}}

During 2022, the State of Ohio brought a lawsuit for deceptive pricing.

{{Cite web|url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-attorney-general-dave-yost-lawsuit-against-dollar-general-for-deceptive-pricing/41835251|title=state of ohio class action|date=November 2022}}

There has been a trend of citizens in small towns organizing to prevent development of Dollar General in towns with a strong rural identity.{{Cite web |title=You guys can all go home |url=https://www.midcoastvillager.com/news/you-guys-can-all-go-home/article_3fd86f6e-d3c7-11ef-9df3-83d3e1783311.html}}{{Cite web |title=Land sale for proposed Stockport Dollar General falls through |date=11 September 2024 |url=https://www.dailygazette.com/hv360/stockport-dollar-general/article_1724467a-6f85-11ef-9ad0-cf834bc01339.html}}{{Cite web |title=Lincolnville swiftly, unanimously approves moratorium on major nonresidential developments |date=11 December 2023 |url=https://penbaydev.ebizonstaging.com/article/lincolnville-swiftly-unanimously-approves-moratorium-major-nonresidential-development/181346}}{{Cite web |title=Terlinguans against Dollar General talk dark sky protections, hope for buyout |date=21 August 2024 |url=https://bigbendsentinel.com/2024/08/21/terlinguans-against-dollar-general-talk-dark-sky-protections-hope-for-buyout/}}

The Institute for Local Self Reliance, ILSR, assists communities in rejecting Dollar Store development.{{Cite web |title=Dollar Stores Cause Economic Distress |url=https://ilsr.org/independent-business/dollar-stores/}} A report by ILSR, The Dollar Store Invasion{{Cite web |title=The Dollar Store Invasion |url=https://ilsr.org/articles/report-dollar-store-invasion/}} details the tactics of the dollar chains and the rising grassroots opposition.

• J.L. Turner and Son Building

• [https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-dollar-general-became-rural-americas-store-of-choice-1512401992 "How Dollar General Became Rural America's Store of Choice,"] The Wall Street Journal. Nassauer, Sarah. (December 4, 2017)
• * [https://www.dgme.info/ "Brief intro about DGME stores and their employees,"] (Jan 8, 2025)

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